Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $455

Standard/Professional

$150

$501+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 23, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum, a timeless classic that continues to leave its mark on the music world. Originally launched as a student drum in 1963, this snare swiftly gained favor amongst professional musicians for its dry, cracking snare tone.

Constructed in Monroe, North Carolina, USA, Ludwig has meticulously recreated the Acrolite in its original glory, complete with a seamless, beaded, brushed-aluminum shell that exudes a vintage charm. Not just a pretty face, this snare drum is known for its incredibly sensitive response and ability to produce a round, full tone across all dynamic ranges.

The Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum is adorned with chrome Classic dual snare lugs and the iconic Blue/Olive Badge, further enhancing its visual appeal. Its Supra Sonic Snare throw off strainer system sets it apart, allowing for precise tuning and optimal performance.

Key Features:

  • Seamless, beaded, brushed-aluminum shell for enhanced durability and resonance
  • Supra Sonic Snare throw off strainer system for precise tuning capabilities
  • Chrome Classic dual snare lugs for a classic, polished look
  • Blue/Olive Badge, a symbol of Ludwig's renowned quality and craftsmanship
  • 8 tuning lugs for optimal tension and tone control
  • Incredibly sensitive response, delivering a full tone in all dynamic ranges
  • Rods and hoops in chrome finish for added durability and aesthetic appeal

Product specs

Brand Ludwig
Model No. 404 Acrolite 5x14" 8-Lug Aluminum Snare Drum with Pointed Blue/Olive Badge
Finish Matte Aluminum
Year 1969 - 1979
Made In United States
Categories Snare Drums

FAQs

What are the standout features of the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum?

The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum features a seamless, beaded, brushed-aluminum shell, known for its dry, cracking tone. Its lightweight design and 8-lug configuration make it a versatile choice for various music styles.

Is the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum is well-suited for live performances due to its crisp attack and projection. Its dry tone cuts through the mix, making it a favorite among drummers for both studio and stage use.

How does the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum compare to other Ludwig models?

The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum is often compared to the Supraphonic model, with the Acrolite offering a drier sound due to its aluminum shell. It's a more affordable option while still delivering professional-grade performance.

What type of music is the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum best suited for?

The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum is versatile enough for a wide range of genres, but it particularly excels in rock, pop, and jazz. Its dry, articulate tone makes it ideal for styles that require clear snare definition.

Does the Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum require special maintenance?

The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum requires standard maintenance, such as regular tuning and occasional cleaning of the aluminum shell to maintain its appearance and sound quality. Its durable construction ensures longevity with proper care.

2112 PERCUSSION

2112 PERCUSSION

Classic Ludwig 5x14 Metal Snare Shootout: Supraphonic vs. Acrolite vs. Black Beauty

Video thumbnail for Classic Ludwig 5x14 Metal Snare Shootout: Supraphonic vs. Acrolite vs. Black Beauty by 2112 PERCUSSION

Classic Ludwig 5x14 Metal Snare Shootout: Supraphonic vs. Acrolite vs. Black Beauty

2112 PERCUSSION

2112 PERCUSSION

Video thumbnail for Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drum Shootout: Vintage 5x14 Vs. Reissued 6.5x14 by Mike Dawson

Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drum Shootout: Vintage 5x14 Vs. Reissued 6.5x14

Mike Dawson

Mike Dawson

Video thumbnail for Ludwig 14x5" Acrolite Snare Drum by Peter Lewis

Ludwig 14x5" Acrolite Snare Drum

Peter Lewis

Peter Lewis

Video thumbnail for Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drums by rickdior

Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drums

rickdior

rickdior

Video thumbnail for Ultimate Ludwig Acrolite Shootout -- 5 Vintage Acrolites Compared! by DrumDotPizza

Ultimate Ludwig Acrolite Shootout -- 5 Vintage Acrolites Compared!

DrumDotPizza

DrumDotPizza

Video thumbnail for Ludwig Supraphonic, Acrolite & Super COB Snare Drum Comparison by rickdior

Ludwig Supraphonic, Acrolite & Super COB Snare Drum Comparison

rickdior

rickdior

Video thumbnail for Snare Comparison - Ludwig Acrolite vs Ludwig Supraphonic by Nick Costa

Snare Comparison - Ludwig Acrolite vs Ludwig Supraphonic

Nick Costa

Nick Costa

Video thumbnail for The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare is One of The Best Snares Ever Blue/Olive Badge by Kenneth Burton

The Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare is One of The Best Snares Ever Blue/Olive Badge

Kenneth Burton

Kenneth Burton

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum.

Build quality

  • Standoffs on lugs can become brittle and crack over time; replacement lugs cost about $10 each.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The P88 throw-off is recommended as a reliable upgrade for the original throw-off, which is known to be unreliable.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The 14x5 Acrolite was a standard issue for school bands in the late 70s to 80s, making them widely available and affordable.

    Source
  • The 5.5x14 Acrolite is favored for versatility over the 5x14, which some feel resembles a student snare in sound.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Acrolites from the late 70s and 80s typically sell for $150-200 due to their commonality, not the $500 some listings suggest.

    Source
  • Craigslist listings often feature 1970s Acrolites at significantly lower prices, sometimes as low as $60, suggesting a potential for better deals than traditional marketplaces.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note the Acrolite's versatility, describing it as an "all-purpose beast" suitable for various musical styles.

    Source
  • The deeper 5.5x14 Acrolite is preferred by some for its broader tonal range, making it suitable for more varied musical applications.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

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A

Ludwig knows drums

This aluminum shell drum can take a beating and keep on delivering. Time-tested, pro level quality. This drum is dry and crisp but still delivers in tone and resonance. Extremely responsive at all volumes. This snare provides the fundamental framework for further experimentation with dampening and adding percussion.

tgifribae

a classic

super awesome all around snare drum, it just sounds good.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how George Daniel uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

George Daniel

Drummer, Composer

The 1975

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video at 2:44, George Daniel can be seen playing a Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum with a Snareweight M80 Black Tone Control Dampener.

During the BFIAFL watch party on twitter, Daniel also stated in a tweet that Ludwig Acrolite snares were used on the record.

See how Rival Consoles uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Rival Consoles

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via Photo

Rival Consoles uses a Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum, as mentioned in an interview with Stampthewax. The snare was played with brushes on the track "Persona," and is visible in the accompanying photograph from the article.

See how Patrick Carney uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Patrick Carney

Drummer, Music Producer

The Black Keys

...
Verified via YouTube

In this youtube video, playing with the Black Keys, at 0:40 we can see Patrick uses a Ludwig Acrolite 5 x 14 snare.

It can be seen from another angle to confirm the height of the snare model at 3:17.

See how Nathan Followill uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Nathan Followill

Drummer

Kings of Leon

...
Verified via YouTube

Used for some of Only by the Night, particularly on "Use Somebody", as stated by Only by the Night producer Jacquire King in this July 31, 2019 interview with producer Warren Huart at 1:24:07.

This is my Gretsch drum kit, it's a 1959 Round Badge. This is the drum kit that was used on "Use Somebody". We used bunch of different drum kits, but we started with mine. (...) It just happened that this is the drum kit that we started with and we started with that song and so, we ended up using that and then also, this Acrolyte snare drum was used on several songs, but (...) this is also the snare that was used on "Use Somebody".

See how Michael Cavanagh "Mickey Cavs" uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Michael Cavanagh "Mickey Cavs"

Drummer

King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard

...
Verified via YouTube

Cavs uses the Ludwig Acrolite for live shows and in studio. In the King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard the making of their LP "Flying Microtonal Banana" (Peeling The Flying Microtonal Banana) Cavanagh is seen showing of his drum set. The Acrolite is visible at 2:39.

See how Stella Mozgawa uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Stella Mozgawa

Drummer

The Desert Sessions

...
Verified via Modern Drummer Magazine

“On a lot of the tracks on the album,” she explains, “we made the snare and kick sounds a little grittier and more electronic, so I’ll just fatten up the snare on certain songs live, like ‘New Song’ from Heads Up and ‘Disco/Very’ from the last record, just put a LinnDrum snare on it. I use an Acrolite snare, which is exactly the snare I want to use forever until the end of time, but they never really made a deep model. So I guess I’m compensating a little for that, but also the familiarity of that tone. Also, even though there’s four of us on stage, we’re sort of a three-piece, and we’ve got to kind of fill in sonically—a little more decay on certain things.”

See how David Lovering uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

David Lovering

Drummer

Pixies

...
Verified via DRUM! Magazine

In an article by Nicolas Grizzle for DRUM! Magazine, David Lovering is noted for using a Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 snare drum during his work with the Pixies.

See how Tom Skinner uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Tom Skinner

Singer, Drummer

The Smile

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube post Tom Skinner can be seen playing a Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drum

See how Josh Eppard uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Josh Eppard

Drummer

Coheed and Cambria

...
Verified via MusicRadar

Is there a piece of drum kit that you couldn’t live without?

“It’s that Ludwig Acrolite snare that I mentioned earlier. It’s a 1969 drum, it’s my dad’s drum. I only use it in the studio. That drum is just magic. It has crack with a little bit of body.”

See how Stan Lynch uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Stan Lynch

Drummer, Music Producer

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

...
Verified via Thepettyarchives

Mentioned by Lynch in this May 2008 Modern Drummer Magazine interview.

"This is one of my vintage Tama kits, circa the late 1970s," Stan Lynch says. "It was used on almost every Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers session I did, as well as on recordings by Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Don Henley, John Mellencamp, Aretha Franklin, The Eurythmics, Brian Wilson, Roger McGuinn, Stevie Nicks, Del Shannon, T-Bone Burnett, The Byrds, Belinda Carlisle, Freedy Johnston, and many others.

"It features a 14x24 kick, 8x12 and 9x13 rack toms, and a 16x16 floor tom. As for the snare drums, at that time I used a 6½x14 Ludwig Black Beauty, 5x14 and 6½x14 Ludwig Supraphonics, and a 5x14 Ludwig Acrolite. Not shown, but included with this kit, were 6x6, 8x8, and 10x14 tom-toms.

"Besides the drums, I have always used Zildjian cymbals, Pro-Mark drumsticks, Remo heads, and DW pedals."

See how Lucca Beguerie Petrich uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Lucca Beguerie Petrich

Drummer, Composer

Usted Señalemelo

...
Verified via Photo

En esta imagen sacada del Instagram de fader records, (estudio del cuál lucca es propietario), podemos ver el famoso redoblante, ”ludwig acrolite". Lucca a usado este redoblante tanto en estudio, como en shows en vivo con su banda, ”usted señalemelo".

See how Matt Billingslea uses Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum

Matt Billingslea

Drummer

The Agency

...
Verified via Ludwig Drums

Matt Billingslea is confirmed to use a Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum, as indicated on his official artist page by Ludwig Drums.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ludwig Acrolite 5x14 Snare Drum, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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